Method for filling container with fluid

ABSTRACT

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a method for filling containers with fluids. A method provides a container made of an elastic material, the container having an internal chamber and a neck with an opening. A plug is provided inside the chamber, the plug having a buoyancy that allows it to float when fluid is introduced into the chamber. A fluid is introduced into the chamber, causing the plug to float until the plug enters the neck and seals the neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for filling a container with fluid.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Inflatable containers such as balloons can be filled with a variety of fluids, such as air, helium, water, medicines, etc. Also, balloons are an example of a container that is made of an elastic material, which can pose different problems when sealing the container after it has been filled with the fluid. For example, the neck of the balloon is also made of an elastic material, and the user would typically need to use a rubber band or other sealing mechanism to seal the neck after the balloon has been filled. It can sometimes be time-consuming and troublesome for a user to tie each balloon individually after the balloons have been filled.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a method for filling containers with fluids. A method provides a container made of an elastic material, the container having an internal chamber and a neck with an opening. A spherical plug is provided inside the chamber, the plug having a buoyancy that allows it to float when fluid is introduced into the chamber. A fluid is introduced into the chamber, causing the plug to float until the plug enters the neck and seals the neck. The neck can also be provided with a narrowed region which allows the plug to be seated therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a balloon and a plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the balloon and plug of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the balloon and plug of FIG. 1 with fluid filling part of the balloon.

FIG. 4 illustrates the balloon and plug of FIG. 1 with fluid filling most of the balloon.

FIG. 5 illustrates the balloon and plug of FIG. 1 with the balloon being filled with fluid and the plug sealing the balloon.

FIG. 6 is an expanded view showing the neck region of the balloon in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention with a balloon 10 having a plug 12 provided inside the chamber 14 of the balloon 10. As used herein, the term “container” refers to an object that can hold something, such as fluids, and can include a balloon. Therefore, the terms “balloon” and “container” shall be used interchangeably herein, and it is understood that the present invention is not limited to balloons.

Each balloon 10 has a neck 16 and a chamber 14 for containing fluid. A foam plug 12 is retained inside the chamber 14, and is adapted to be snugly fitted into the neck 16 in a manner such that no additional fastening mechanism is needed to secure the plug 12 inside the neck 16. The plug 12 can be provided in the shape of a sphere as shown in the FIGS., and is provided in a material that floats or has a buoyancy characteristic. An example of a buoyant material that can be used for the plug 12 is foam. As one non-limiting example, the snug fit can be achieved by the elasticity of the material of the balloon 10. The balloon 10 can be any conventional balloon, and as such, conventional balloons are usually made of an elastic material such as rubber or latex which has an elasticity that allows for a properly-sized spherical plug 12 to be tightly held inside the neck 15. The balloon 10 can also be a novel balloon that has a narrowed region 16 provided at the neck 15. The narrowed region 16 can be formed when the balloon 10 is molded. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the plug 12 can be sized to be larger than the normal unstretched internal diameter of the neck 15, and in particular, the narrowed region 16, thereby allowing the plug 12 to be securely retained inside the neck 15 when the chamber 14 is filled with a fluid.

A method for filling the balloon 10 with a fluid is as follows. To fill and seal the balloon 10, the outlet of a fluid source (not shown), such as a hose 22, can be inserted into the opening 18 of the neck 15, and the fluid (e.g., water) is introduced into the chamber 14. As fluid is introduced into the chamber 14, the plug 12 floats as best shown in FIG. 3. The balloon 10 is filled and expands. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plug 12 floats up and approaches the neck 15. When the balloon 10 is completely filled with fluid, the plug 12 is forced by the fluid into the neck 15, and seals the neck 15 at the narrowed region 16. See FIGS. 5 and 6. In this regard, the elasticity of the balloon material, coupled with the sizing of the plug 12 to be wider than the unstretched internal diameter of the neck 15, allows the plug 12 to stretch the elasticity of the neck 15 as the fluid pushes the plug 12 into the neck 15, thereby ensuring a snug and tight fit. To provide a more effective liquid seal, the narrowed region 16 has a smaller internal diameter than the rest of the neck 15, thereby ensuring that the plug 12 is securely held at the narrowed region 16. This is best shown in FIG. 6.

The method of the present invention allows balloons 10 to be filled quickly without the need for a conduit or tube to deliver the fluid from the fluid source into the chamber 14 of the balloon 10. In addition, the present invention obviates the need for a separate tying or sealing mechanism (e.g., a rubber band or tie) after the balloon 10 has been filled with a fluid. In addition, the spherical shape of the plug 12 allows the plug 12 to enter the bottom 24 of the neck 15 more easily, so that the rising level of the water inside the chamber 14 will alone be enough to push the plug 12 into the neck 15.

The above detailed description is for the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, components, mechanisms and methods are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for filling a container with fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a container made of an elastic material, the container having an internal chamber and a neck with an opening; providing a spherical plug inside the chamber, the plug having a buoyancy that allows it to float when fluid is introduced into the chamber; and introducing a fluid into the chamber, causing the plug to float until the plug enters the neck and seals the neck.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including providing the plug with a dimension that is larger than the normal unstretched internal diameter of the neck.
 3. A method for filling a container with fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a container made of an elastic material, the container having an internal chamber and a neck with an opening, and wherein the neck has a narrowed region; providing a spherical plug inside the chamber, the plug having a buoyancy that allows it to float when fluid is introduced into the chamber; and introducing a fluid into the chamber, causing the plug to float until the plug enters the neck and is seated at the narrowed region to seal the neck. 